Discussion -- 300 Word Challenge #5

[Vertigo]

Well that's mine posted. Now I can go and read everyone else's stories!

 

[Starbeast]

You're brave Vertigo, I always have to check everyone who posted before me first to be sure my tale doesn't sound similar. But this time around, I wasn't in a hurry to submit a story, nor was I fearing mine would be like anyone elses.

Now I shall read yours.

 

[Vertigo]

Not sure brave is the right adjective. On the one hand I do it like that to try and avoid being influenced by the other stories and on the other I do it to avoid being scared off by their quality!

 

[Starbeast]

I agree, that's another reason why I also avoid reading other tales first and even chatting in the discussion thread. I just wander away for a while and let my mind dream up something.

But, man-alive, the others come up with some excellent stuff.

I like your tale by the way (among others).

 

[hopewrites]

I promised myself i wouldnt read them till i caught up on my 75comments. because i'm so addicted to comments now i'm afraid i would overwhelm myself with the fun of doing them and put off actually writing the neat little idea i have scribbled down somewhere. *looks half hartedly about her desk muttering 'i wonder where i put that'*
Anyway i'm really looking forward to it

 

[Phoenixthewriter]

How should we consider swearing? I'm not looking to drop the F'nheimer, but I have a rather irate individual who's personality almost requires some verbal cues that he's pissed.

Is there a gray area here?

 

[Bowler1]

The picture is just not doing anything for me, no inspiration at all so there won't be any 300 word post from me. However, voting three times sounds good to me so - I'll be back.....

 

[The Judge]

Phoenix, posts 63 and 64 from a fortnight ago http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/535877-discussion-300-word-challenge-5-a-5.html#post1597067

 

[Starbeast]

How should we consider swearing? Is there a gray area here?

I have a good example in my tale, I completely blanked out a word (****).

 

[Ursa major]

Good. The word, that, is used far too freely in my opinion....

 

[Vertigo]

I agree Ursa, especially when people feel the need to repeat it! So much so that I feel that that should be banned!

 

[Hex]

Pfff! How can you be so narrow-minded?? 'That' adds richness and depth and authenticity. It's part of our language -- part of the way that we speak.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I agree Ursa, especially when people feel the need to repeat it! So much so that I feel that that should be banned!

Now see, that's an example of using it just for shock value. What do you do when that wears off?

 

[TacticalLoco]

Good stories, some stuff I would have never thought of.

Mines up. Really sorry, no swear words at all, but lots of pseudo-computerese, so enjoy.

 

[Phoenixthewriter]

Thanks for the tip. I remembered reading it in a previous thread some time ago but couldn't find it. I had no clue it had already been discussed here as well.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

hmm my Mum always said NICE was the big four letter word to be avoided lol I was not allowed to say it growing up. She could live with me dropping the occasional other bomb but the 'N' word was out.

 

[Vertigo]

Now see, that's an example of using it just for shock value. What do you do when that wears off?

Yes sorry Dusty, that was rather gratuitous. By the blood of my ancestors, it's deplorable how uninventive and limited our profanities seem to be these days. Makes me want to write fantasy just for the sake of having fun with them.

 

[Bowler1]

In some cultures swearing is almost a national pass time, I refer to the Irish in this case who are well known for colourful speech. Hex I'm sure will support me being from north of the border where there is also added colour! Now, that does not make it right far from. If your trying to reflect from real life and how different characters talk then some might swear and others won't. So swearing should I think pop up here and there, adding emphasis and weight to plot.

Don't over use, a lot of swearing in text I think gets boring real quick.

 

[mosaix]

The degree of swearing should be inline with the age range / maturity of your target audience.

So you have to ask yourself what the 'audience' is on the Chrons. I think it's been stated more than once that this is a family-friendly site.

 

[Hex]

Up here in the hairy north, we learn to swear before we can walk... it's just like punctuation, only less confusing.

[that should have a (Wo)man Attempting Joke sticker]

More seriously, despite being Scottish, I'm from Morningside and I'm not Irvine Welsh, so I never swear. Well, hardly ever.

I don't like books with too much, but it can be used very effectively. We can't say anything really naughty on here anyway, can we? Doesn't the software stop us?